Random Wine Articles http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us Making Wine Like a Pro http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/making-wine-like-a-pro.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/making-wine-like-a-pro.html Sun, 23 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0500 Wine making is an easy, cost-efficient way to stock up on your favorite vintages. Although the wine-making process is fairly simple, it’s important to follow the steps carefully to ensure you don’t miss any elements. These steps will be crucial to the success of your batch.

Once you’ve decided to make a batch of wine, the first thing to consider is the equipment needed. The following is a list of the wine making equipment required to make a basic batch of red wine:

• Large nylon straining bag
• Cloth (any kind will do)
• Large pail (with a lid)
• Hydrometer
• Thermometer
• Acid titration kit
• Clear, bendable plastic tubing (a half inch in diameter)
• Two, one gallon glass jugs
• Corks
• Hand corker
• Fermentation lock and bung
• Wine bottles (between 5 and 7)

After you’ve assembled the necessary equipment, just follow these easy steps and you’ll produce a great batch of wine in practically no time at all:

1. Prepare the Produce – First, inspect the fruit to ensure the grapes are ripe and free of insects or other contaminants. Put the grapes in the straining bag and measure the sugar level using your hydrometer. A hydrometer can be purchased at any wine making store. The sugar density should be 22 ideally. Also, remember to remove the stems from all grapes in order to make your wine smoother and sweeter. Finish this step by transferring the ingredients into the jug.
2. Adjust the Juice – This is a crucial step in the wine-making process. You must measure the acid content using your titration kit. The ideal level is 6 to 7 grams per liter for red wine and 6.5 to 7.5 per liter for white wine. You’ll want to regulate the sugar level by measuring it with your hydrometer from time to time. Sugar levels should remain at 22 for both red and white wines. The fermentation should remain around 70-degrees-Fahrenheit for basic red wines. Abiding by these temperatures will ensure that the process goes smoothly.
3. Rack the Wine – Insert your clear plastic hose into the wine jug and attach it to the opening of the other (empty) sanitized jug. Siphon the wine from one jug to the other in order to keep the wine in a completely sanitized container. Next, fit the jug with a bung and fermentation lock. This step may take some time, but it’s important to be slow and careful so you don’t stir up the sediment. Let the wine sit for an extended period of time (some people choose to wait weeks or even months).
4. Bottle the Wine – Bottling your wine is the easy part. Simply siphon your wine from the jug into your wine bottles. Be sure to leave about 2-inches at the top of every bottle, otherwise it will cause overflow when the cork is inserted. To cork your wine bottles simply insert a cork into the hand corker, position the corker over the lever and insert.
5. Drink and Enjoy!







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Bill Kaplan spends most of his free time researching and practicing the art of beer brewing and wine making and serves as a contributing editor for the Beer Brewing and Wine Making website. The site offers information on making wine, various types of wine cabinets, the beer and wine forums and more.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Impress with stylish stemless wine glasses http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/impress-with-stylish-stemless-wine-glasses.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/impress-with-stylish-stemless-wine-glasses.html Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600 Original content from www.wine-cellar-racks.com

Check if your sommelier is hip and up-to-date by requesting your next order of Bordeaux or Chardonnay be served into stemless wine glasses instead of the standard stemware.  North America’s trendiest restaurants are riding the wave of the industry’s efforts to demystify vino, adding a new twist to an old concept.  Stemless wine glasses are catching on, and are suddenly becoming the most stylish way to serve your guests.

While this tumbler concept may seem new for the trade, Europeans have been using them in this fashion for centuries.  The unique, eye-catching designs are encouraging younger people to enjoy and explore the powerful possibilities of vino.  Riedel crystal is now producing stemless wine glasses, and the company’s “O” series are selling fast.  From the side they look like the printed letter “O”, and are shaped according to strict design rules for certain types – slim curves for delicate whites and broader bases for robust reds.

This particular manufacturer has made these distinctive tumblers available in six varieties: Riesling / Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot / Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, Viognier / Chardonnay, Syrah / Shiraz, and Cabernet / Merlot.  If you are seeking great online discounts for these spectacular stemless wine glasses that are sure to impress your guests, our extensive web guide has everything you need right here.  These exceptional pieces will make a great addition to any kitchen or bar, and make great gifts for any occasion.  Enjoy your next bottle in style!



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Michael Boyce is a regular contributor to wine-cellar-racks.com, a consumer's resource to wine-related products and services.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Express your message in style with a wine country gift basket http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/express-your-message-in-style-with-a-wine-country-gift-basket.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/express-your-message-in-style-with-a-wine-country-gift-basket.html Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600 Original content from www.wine-cellar-racks.com

Wine country gift baskets give you the opportunity to express your message in style.  By choosing wine baskets with a selection of premium epicure neighboring the wineries selected, you can rest assured the pairings of gourmet food and vino will please the most discerning tastes.  Choose custom wine gift baskets for your next special thank you or corporate gift.  Your wine basket will arrive with style and unparalleled luxury, showing your appreciation with distinction.  The spectacular combinations from wineries such as B.R. Cohn, Merryvale Starmont Collection, Alexander Valley Lancaster Estate, Truchard Vinyards, Opus One, and Dom Perignon are just a few of the many options you will have before you when shopping online for gorgeous wine country gift baskets.

Wine baskets will treat your recipient to some unique and carefully chosen estate wines, grouped with delicacies like local Fiscalini Farmstead Cheddar, California pistachios, Fuji pears, desert apples, Suzi double baked biscotti, and Rocky Mountain Chocolates, just to name a few!  The magnificent arrangements wine country baskets are intended to bring out the best qualities of the tasty beverages included, and to highlight some of the area’s local delicacies.  Custom wine baskets offer you the freedom and opportunity to create your own composition, and piece together something to your own tastes and desires.

Shopping online for wine baskets brings many exciting possibilities straight to your door.  You’ll benefit from a wider selection than your local shops may offer, and will also benefit from lower competitive pricing.  Best of all, you’ll be getting exactly what you want, and at a great value for your money.  Some of these reputable internet retailers may even offer free or discounted shipping.  They’ll be able to send your custom wine baskets directly to you, or whomever you wish.

Wine baskets make great presents for just about anyone, for any occasion.  Help yourself or a special someone to a special treat today!



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Michael Boyce is a regular contributor to wine-cellar-racks.com, a consumer's resource to wine-related products and services.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Wine charms for every occasion http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/wine-charms-for-every-occasion.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/wine-charms-for-every-occasion.html Tue, 22 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Going to a bridal shower? Or a wedding party? Carry along a set of Pewter Wine Charms. It comes with a wedding car and cake, a wedding invitation and a bride and groom! It is ideal for the occasion. Do you prefer gold and silver metal beads? You can get it at just $9.99. It comes along with a silver pouch. For the same price you can get gambler charms, mythical charms and art charms. If you are looking for elegance and a little class, then multi-colored beads should be your choice. For those who love the sea, there is a boating wine charm. It has several attachments such as an anchor, wheel and sail. For beach lovers there is a beach wine charm complete with sun, sea and surf!

Or maybe you prefer a BBQ wine charm or a Big Money Pewter Wine Charm, both available at $9.99. A perfect gift for a woman would be a flower based wine charm, which looks so attractive you will want to carry it away with you. If you host is a stargazer, then the celestial wine charm is best suited. There really is a charm for every occasion. You name it and someone has already created it. Such a variety is difficult to find in other products. These wine charms are made with such precision and care that one would think it should be more expensive. However, wine charms are quite affordable and you can buy one that suits your taste.

For example, a golfer could go for the golf wine charm and an artist can go for the art wine charm. You can even find wine charm that relate to different countries in the world. The Egyptian wine charm comes with colored beads. During the festive season of Christmas, the Christmas wine charm is very apt. There is wine charms based on dogs, cats, insects, pets, wild animals, medicine, winter… the list goes on.

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John Lamont is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.acewineracks.com/fine.pl/building-kedco-plan.html an online resource for all kinds of wine racks, including wall wine racks, metal wine racks and more.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Emilia-Romagna Region http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/i-love-italian-wine-and-food-the-emilia-romagna-region.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/i-love-italian-wine-and-food-the-emilia-romagna-region.html Wed, 23 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Emilia-Romagna produces a very wide variety of pasta, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, cheese, and fresh and cured meats. Two of its biggest stars are a cheese, Parmigiano Regianno, and a ham, Prosciutto di Parma. Parmesan cheese as it’s known in English, was mentioned by the famous Italian author of the Fourteenth Century, Giovanni Boccaccio. We review it below. Parma ham, as it’s known in English, is an uncooked ham that is dry cured for at least ten months. Usually it is served in very thin slices, often as appetizer with melon.

Bologna whose population is about 375,000 is the administrative center of Emilia-Romagna. It is the home of the first university in the Western World, founded in the 11th Century. Bologna is also considered the capital of Italian gastronomy, in spite of its unfortunate association with a low-quality sandwich meat. Another city of interest is Rimini, a resort center on the Adriatic Sea with a population of 135 thousand.

Emilia-Romagna devotes about 178,000 acres to grapevines, it ranks 5th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is about 125 million gallons, giving it a 4th place. About 57% of the wine production is red, leaving 43% for white. The region produces 18 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine and 1 DOCG white wine, Albana di Romagna. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. In fact, while this wine was the first white wine to be accorded the DOCG designation in Italy (1987), many feel that Albana di Romagna does not deserve such an award. (I have never tasted this wine, and from the reviews that I’ve read, I’m in no hurry to taste it.) About 21% of Emilia-Romagna wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. Emilia-Romagna is home to more than four dozen major and secondary grape varieties, a few more red than white.

Widely grown international white grape varieties include Malvasia and Trebbiano. The best known strictly Italian white varieties are Albana (source of the DOCG wine) and Pignoletto.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the only widely grown international red grape variety. The best known strictly Italian red variety is Bonarda. The Italian red varieties Barbera and Sangiovese are found elsewhere, including California.

Before we reviewing the Emilia-Romagna wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.
Start with Gelato di Parmigiano, Parmigiano “Ice Cream”, which includes heavy cream and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, suggested as an appetizer.
A more traditional dish is Scaloppine di Vitello alla Bolognese, Veal Scaloppine all Bolognese, which also includes Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, as well as other local specialties Prosciutto di Parma and balsamic vinegar.
For dessert (as if the ice cream wasn’t a dessert) try Torta Bonissima, a Honey and Nut Pie.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.


Wine Reviewed
Donini Lamberti Trebbiano-Chardonnay IGT 2005 12% alcohol about $8 (liter)

Everybody has prejudices. I approached this bottle with several of them. It seems to me that a liter of wine is usually too big, accentuating quantity at the expense of quality. Given the economics of the wine industry, I am usually reticent to purchase a bottle for $8, which would be $6 for a regular-sized bottle. And finally while Emilia-Romagna is often known for its red wines, it is not particularly known for its white wines, with an unfortunate exception, the DOCG wine Albana di Romagna, discussed above. And now to the actual wine.

The first time that I drank this wine I found that its taste was one of green apples, dominating everything else but still light on flavor if not unpleasant. It didn’t really accompany the food, a breaded chicken cutlet in sweet and sour sauce with potatoes cooked in chicken fat. As the wine aged a bit, (it takes a long time to finish a liter if you don’t care to drink very much at a time) it got better instead of worse. I have read that 3.5 million bottles of this type wine are produced yearly. I understand that it is popular in fish restaurants along the Adriatic Sea. I’d love to find out for sure. Final verdict, not bad for the price.

Parmigiano-Reggiano is a cooked, unpressed semi-fat hard cheese made from raw cow’s milk. It is encased in a thin, yellow rind. This cheese is finely grained and very flaky. Its taste is delicate and fragrant, and frankly wasted with a wine of this quality.



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Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine website is www.theworldwidewine.com . You can reach him at ital@mail.theworldwidewine.com.



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Umbria Region http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/i-love-italian-wine-and-food-the-umbria-region.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/i-love-italian-wine-and-food-the-umbria-region.html Wed, 23 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Umbria was settled by the Umbri, perhaps the first inhabitants of Italy. They were forced into the mountains by the Etruscans, who were conquered by the Romans and then the Lombards. The poet Dante considered it the most violent part of Italy.

Umbria is particularly known for pork, dried pasta, and both black and white truffles. It also produces specialty breads and a wide variety of vegetables and meats. Fish and eels from the Tiber River and Lake Trasimeno abound. Cheeses include Pecorino Toscano, reviewed below.

Umbria’s capital is Perugia, a beautiful medieval city with a population of 150 thousand. Among other things Perugia is known for chocolates and Italian as a second language classes. Another famous Umbrian city is Assisi, the home of St. Francis of Assisi.
Umbria devotes about 41 thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 15th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is about 19.5 million gallons, giving it a 16th place. About 58% of the wine production is white, leaving 42% for red. The region produces 11 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine, and 2 DOCG red wines, Montefalco Sagrantino and Torgiano Rosso. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior.
About 30% of Umbrian wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. Umbria is home to about thirty major and secondary grape varieties, about two thirds white.

Widely grown international white grape varieties include Chardonnay and Trebbiano. The best known strictly Italian white variety is Grechetto, used in the its flagship Orvieto DOC wines.

Widely grown international red grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, and Merlot. The best known Italian red variety is Sangiovese, now grown elsewhere such as in California.

Before we review the Umbrian wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.
Start with Zuppa di Lenticchie di Castelluccio, Castelluccio Lentil Soup, which with local bread can be a meal in itself.
Later try Porchetta alla Perugina, Roasted Suckling Pig with Wild Fennel, Rosemary, and Garlic.
For dessert indulge yourself with Serpentone delle Monache di Perugia, Nut and Fruit “Snake” of the Capucin Nuns.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Lungaraotti Pinot Grigio 2004 12% about $12

I haven’t always been happy with Italian Pinot Grigio, or for that matter with non-Italian Pinot Gris. These wines often are weak. However, I thought that this particular Pinot Grigio was a fine wine for its price when it accompanied the right food. The sales literature suggested that this light-bodied, vivid, and balanced wine would be a great match for antipasti. My mistake was pairing it with non-imported antipasti, really more of a mediocre relish, which overpowered the wine. I later tried this wine with cold barbecued chicken in a moderately spicy Thai sauce and was quite pleased. Its citrus flavors really shone. I could taste this wine’s subtle complexity.

Pecorino Toscano is a sheep’s milk cheese that has been made in Tuscany and neighboring Umbria for thousands of years. Soft Pecorino Toscano is white with a tinge of yellow, while semi-hard Pecorino Toscano is pale yellow. It is moderately strong smelling and has a complex nutty flavor. I thought that it blended very nicely into the wine.



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About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine website is www.theworldwidewine.com . You can reach him at ital@mail.theworldwidewine.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> A Guide to Buying Australian Wine http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/a-guide-to-buying-australian-wine.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/a-guide-to-buying-australian-wine.html Sat, 16 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
In Australia, wine has become the new beverage of choice for people in all walks of life. Moreover, Australia has developed an enviable reputation amongst wine drinkers and appreciators the world over. Myshopping.com.au can help you make the right selection of wine for any occasion and to suit any taste. Listed on our website, you will find some of the most celebrated labels and award winning wines and you can make a selection based on reviews, price and supplier, regardless of why you want to purchase wine.

Wine

There are essentially three reasons that we can think of why you might want to buy wine: to drink in some social occasion, to give as a gift, or as an investment with a realisable future.

Buying wine to drink

Winemaker Greg Gallagher at the Charles Sturt University, South Australia, says judging a good wine is simple. "It starts with asking, 'do you like it?' " he says, "and finishes with 'did you like it?'" When you have a list of favourite wines, all you need to do is find them on Myshopping.com.au, and you will find out where it's sold for the best price.

But, because it's not always easy remembering the name, style and vintage of the wine you enjoy, it's a good idea to keep a record of wines you drink that you really like (and those that you'd prefer to avoid), for future reference.

When you're buying wine to drink, there are a number of considerations you might like to bear in mind, the first being: what is the occasion? It stands to reason that a wine for an intimate dinner with a partner might be a different choice than one for a footy night with the boys. Sharing a wine with someone is a lot more than simply sharing the drink. It's also sharing your taste, your values and your standards, so it pays to think carefully about the occasion and the company with whom you are sharing the wine.

A second consideration might be, what is accompanying the wine? Wine is often enjoyed with a meal, but you might like to consider also how the occasion (or meal) will develop. Matching the perfect wine with the perfect food and mood is an exhilarating experience, and is often at the heart of great memories.

You may also want to consider the ambience of the occasion. A wine for enjoying at an evening symphony concert will have a different character to that enjoyed at a beach picnic.

Buying wine as a gift

Wine makes an excellent gift for many reasons. It's an easy purchase; you can buy a wine to suit practically any budget. And it is a demonstration of your taste and standards, subtly imparted to someone whom you may care for.

However, as well as meeting your taste standards, you also need to choose a wine that will meet the tastes of the receiver. It pays to find out what sort of wine that person enjoys, and buy within that person's style or region preferences. A person who enjoys sweet white wines will appreciate a gift that matches that personality.

Buying wine as an investment

Some wines make a good investment because they are rare and have an established reputation causing them to appreciate in value. Possibly the most famous of these in Australia is Penfolds' Grange Hermitage, a Shiraz style Claret that has been made since 1951 (a bottle of that vintage now might set you back $50,000 or more if you can find one). Although young in terms of wine heritage, Australia has some notable wines that do and will appreciate in value.

A good investment wine is not necessarily a guarantee of a high quality drinking wine. The investment values are arrived at by reputation. A particular vintage may have enjoyed popularity for any number of reasons and become scarce because only a limited number of bottles were produced. What results is a collectors market and wine changes hands through auctions, private sales, estate dissolutions and wine club memberships.

What makes a good investment wine however, is the fact that you are able to sell the wine at some future date for a sum greater than what you paid. Therefore the condition of the wine-or more importantly, the bottle-is of paramount consideration. The provenance of an investment wine is important. Before buying, you need to establish its history of origin and previous ownership. Satisfied that the bottle is in good condition, once in your possession it needs to be cellared correctly in the absence of heat, light and movement. You should document your ownership and the conditions of its cellaring before selling it to a new buyer.

What makes good wine?

The winemaking process

The quality of a wine is affected by a wide variety of factors that occur in and as a result of the winemaking, cellaring and handling processes. One of the key factors is the terrain and climate, commonly referred to as a 'region', where the grapes are grown. Different conditions affect different varieties differently. A Shiraz style from McLaren Vale in South Australia, for example, is a heavier and darker wine than the same style from the Swan Valley in Western Australia, which tends to be lighter and more peppery. A Chardonnay from the Hunter Valley is more full-bodied than one from Margaret River.

While knowing which vines are best suited to a soil type and climate is one aspect, another is knowing when to pick the fruit for particular effect. The fruit's flavour at the time of picking is a major character of the residual flavours of the wine. After initial fermentation, some winemakers choose to ferment in oak, others not to. Using oak affects the reduction of tannins in the wine. Different types of oak-English, American, old-affect the flavour and character of the wine as it matures to its nominal alcohol level. It is in the barrel that a lot of transformations in flavours and character occur, and a great deal of skill is required to know exactly when to bottle the wine.

Different winemakers have different techniques and, while a good wine can't be made from bad grapes, it is largely the winemaker's skill that produces a good wine.

Taste

One of the ways we can tell the quality of wine as judged by its taste, is whether it has had successes in any of a number of wine shows held around the country. Experts from the wine industry judge wines on their quality and medal winners enjoy the benefits of being recognised and written about in the main media.

While not every medal winner is a wine that suits our taste, it is as a direct result of the shows and competitions that Australian wines have grown in popularity and quality. At Myshopping.com.au you can compare many award winning wines.

What's your taste?

Regions and style

When you are shopping for wine, one of the first questions to answer is whether you are choosing a red wine or a white wine. Once you have decided this, you can then start to narrow down the different styles. Begin with the question of whether you are seeking a dry wine or a sweet wine.

Styles of wine are named after the region from which the grape originated. In the popular dark reds you have the Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot styles that tend to be drier wines. Lighter reds feature Beaujolais, Pinot Noir and Rose styles and these tend toward sweeter wines.

Popular white wines include the Chablis, Riesling, Semillon, Chenin, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay styles in dry wines, with Traminer Riesling, Moselle and late picked Verdelho in the sweeter styles. Aperitifs include sweet and dry sherry and Marsala. Dessert wines include Sauternes, Muscats and Ports.

Many wines are now presented as blended wines, a way to offer wider variety in taste and a way to use up less popular grapes and thereby minimise waste in the industry.

Australia has more than a dozen identified wine growing regions that produce distinctive wines of the main styles. The Barossa Valley in South Australia is possibly the most famous region with the richest heritage, and features many labels from subregions such as Claire Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and the Adelaide Hills. These regions produce some of the most spectacular Riesling wines, and Shiraz styles in the country. East of this region, near the border with Victoria lies the Coonawarra district (also known as Riverland), famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon. In Victoria lie the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsular districts. The Goulbourn Valley lies on the border with New South Wales. The Hunter Valley in New South Wales produces some of Australia's finest wines, while in the West, Margaret River, t4he Swan Valley and the Plantagenet districts all produce fine wines.

Trends

Recent economic conditions and consecutive years of oversupply have changed much of Australia's wine market. There are many small boutique wineries whose products can be bought direct from the cellar door. Many of these wines are featured on Myshopping.com.au by style and region.

The wine industry is encouraging the buying of wines and cellaring them (storing them in a cool place) for a period of time and enjoying them at a later time. To cellar your wine, store it somewhere cool, dark, airy, and free from vibration and dampness. Temperature stability is the most important factor in preserving wine in the cellar. Storing wine in an environment where the temperature varies gradually with the seasons is better than in a room that varies with the day and night.

For long-term storage, the ideal cellar temperature is 18 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 60-75%. Warmer conditions accelerate the development of wines, which could mean a reduction in the pleasure of drinking them.

The second phenomenon to occur through oversupply is the introduction of cleanskins, a method of selling wine without a brand label. This is presented as being 'money saving' because of a reduction in marketing expense, however the real cost saving per bottle is around 3-5 cents (the cost of printing and applying a label).

Cleanskins enable a wine producer to present a lower cost bottle, but this is mostly achieved by not having to identify the origins of the grape, or the varietal blends that make up the wine. And while it is true that some cleanskins are eminently drinkable wines, evidence suggests that they are generally of a far poorer quality than branded label products. It is suggested that you taste the wine before purchasing any cleanskins.

Wine is a high fashion product, and wine trends emerge on a regular basis. The best way to follow these trends is to shop using Myshopping.com.au -- comparing prices and suppliers, and following medal winning labels.

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Andrew Gates is a writer for Australian comparison shopping site MyShopping.com.au. MyShopping.com.au helps you compare wine and buy online from top-rated online stores. You can also read wine reviews and specifications.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Innumerous Profits of Wine http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/innumerous-profits-of-wine.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/innumerous-profits-of-wine.html Fri, 29 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Here are few imperceptible ways wine is actually assisting you or has the ability to assist you in future.

Obesity: the term “beer belly” usually portrays that alcohol might have been the main causative in increasing the size of your belly. Well, that’s entirely wrong; wine is in fact proven to aid the severely obese person. In order to try this out, consume the wine that does not contain sugar, at least four or five times (little quantity) at dinnertime or bedtime. One study on this particular part says that the one who consume the sugarless wine resulted in average weight loss twice that of those who didn't. In addition to all the heavenly property it also helps in ridding the tensions and anxiety of the body.

Old Age: Old age is not an illness. However it is a difficulty to our health. Still, it's a difficulty those of us in adolescence hope to obtain someday. Growing old might bring lot of troubles. Wine can help in their relief. For starters, wine reduces the reliance on certain tablets, particularly tablets that relax and anesthetize people. Wine has also resulted in increasing the appetite, confidence and social lives of those in old age.

Cleverness: Averagely, people who consume wine are of higher education levels when compared with those who don’t consume alcohol or drink far too much. This is not trying to convey that you should, Merlot in hand, roll your eyes at the stupidity of someone drinking a beer, but it's comforting to know wine drinkers are in good, and smart, company.

Cancer: Red wine containing the pulp of grape consists of innumerous antioxidants; this antioxidant helps in preventing cancer. Wine is loaded with defensive and protective affects. A scientific research says that, woman who ingests 12 glasses of wine per week were satisfied with an 83 percent decrease in endometrial cancer rates.

Kidney Cancer is proved to have a enemy called ‘wine’. According to a study carried out in Sweden by Dr. Alicja Wolk of the Karolinska Institute, women who consume fair amounts of wine had a very minimum kidney cancer risk on comparison.

Diabetes: non-insulin diabetes that typically develops with age is less likely to affect those who consume wine moderately.

Bone Power: a scientific research has found out that the wine drinkers have good bone strength and they have less chances of Osteoporosis. It reduces the rate of bone fractures.

Wine just doesn’t stop there. From your top to the bottom, wine offers a glassful of profits. These are the only ones, which are scientifically proved till now. As the wine rebellion achieves even more ground, and more studies are performed, the profit of wine may persist to be known more and more, pouring good health on all who drink it.


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Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Ice Machines : Tips for purchasing ice machine http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/ice-machines-tips-for-purchasing-ice-machine.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/ice-machines-tips-for-purchasing-ice-machine.html Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
There are two varieties of ice machines: –air –cooled and water –cooled. Air-cooled ice machines use air to disperse the heat, whereas water –cooled ice machine uses water to do the same function. Air-cooled ice machines use more energy and also are much noisier than water-cooled ice machines. However, they are more cost-effective.

While choosing an ice machine one has to consider the give a thought to the needs and requirements. If the requirement is for a household or a small office, an ice machine with width ranging between 14.5 inch to 20 inch will suffice. One also needs to take in to account the kind of ice that will be produced. The ice should be clear and hard. The ice machine should be compact in size and preferably sleek so as to save on storage space. For the environmentally conscious, there are many ice machines, which do away with CFCs. Try to locate CFC-free R-134a refrigerant in the specifications listed out by the manufacturer. An ice machine should have a mechanism, which will prevent water overfilling.

One important thing that any buyer of an ice–machine should consider is the NSF certification. NSF is an independent, no profit organisation that authenticates the claims made by the manufacturers of various products. iceandwine.com manufacture NSF ice machines suitable for household as well as for commercial establishments. To know more about Ice Machines and various Outdoor Appliances visit http://www.iceandwine.com/.

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Sanjay Lute is content writer for Ice & Wine ;Visit the site (http://www.iceandwine.com/) for more information about Ice Machines

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> I Love Italian Wine and Food - Launching a Series http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/i-love-italian-wine-and-food-launching-a-series.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/wine/i-love-italian-wine-and-food-launching-a-series.html Sun, 22 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Italy is the king of microclimates: 40% of its territory is mountainous and another 40% is hilly. Such territory can often be ideal for vineyards, even if of little value for other agricultural products. The country is surrounded by five bodies of water; the Ligurian Sea in the northwest, the Tyrrhenian Seas in the southwest, the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea in the south, and the Adriatic Sea in the east. All these geographical factors mean that vineyards a few kilometers apart may yield vastly different wines.

Did you know that Italy is divided into twenty regions? Each and every one produces wine, its own distinctive style or usually styles of wine that accompany its regional food specialties. Almost all regions produce wine for export to North America. Of course some regions are doing better than others, but in many cases regions that were once known for their bland, and perhaps baked wines, have turned the corner and are now making some excellent wines. Because the public is not yet generally aware of these wine-making regions, there are still bargains to be had. Keep posted, I'll be making specific recommendations.

Italy can be divided into three major sections: Northern Italy, sharing a border with four European countries (France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia), Central Italy, and the South, traditionally the poorest part of Italy.

Northern Italy is composed of eight regions: The Aosta Valley, Piedmont (whose capital is Turin), Lombardy (whose capital is Milan), Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, The Veneto (whose capital is Venice), Emilia-Romagna, and Liguria (whose capital is Genoa). Because wines from the first and last of these regions are quite difficult to find in North America, we are planning articles on only six of these regions.

Central Italy is composed of six regions: Tuscany (whose capital is Florence), Umbria, The Marches, Abruzzi, Molise, and Latium (whose capital is Rome). We are planning at least one article on each of these regions.

Southern Italy is composed of six regions: Apulia, Campania (whose capital is Naples), Basilicata, Calabria, and the islands of Sicily (whose capital is Palermo) and Sardinia. We are planning at least one article on each of these regions.


Each article will discuss the region and its distinctiveness. We'll talk about the wines and the foods that characterize the region. We'll taste at least one wine as we are preparing the articles, and sometimes refer to memorable wines that we have tasted months or years previously. When possible, we'll taste the wine with an imported Italian cheese that typifies the region.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review have been purchased at the full retail price.

Now back to the subject of Italian wines.

Wine Classification.
Italy has legally defined four wine classifications that presumably help the consumer make a selection when faced dozens of unfamiliar choices. In 1963 Italy devised the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (Denomination of Controlled Origin) wine legislation largely modeled on the French legislation. The goal of the DOC system was to classify and regulate wine production in given geographical areas and help these areas develop their own specific identity. Don't get confused, in addition to designating the Italian wine classification system, DOC also designates the third classification level within this system.

While most wine producing countries have instituted official wine classifications, arguably the Italian system is the most controversial, some would say the most abused, and the most ignored by the wine producers themselves. Look for these classifications on the wine label. But be warned, a higher classification does not always mean a better wine.

VdT stands for Vino da Tavola, translated as table wine. These wines may be made from any grape, or mixture of grapes, anywhere within Italy. Usually table wines are pretty ordinary, and in Italy they are often served directly from the barrel. And yet on occasion VdT wines are excellent and priced accordingly. Why should these lowest-rated wines be better than their supposedly fancier competitors? Some innovative producers didn't want to be told by government officials how to make wine (see DOC below). In essence they said, "We'll do it our way and let the market decide." The classic examples of outstanding VdT wines are Super-Tuscans, often going for $50 or more a bottle.

IGT stands for Indicazione Geografica Tipica, which may be translated as Typical Geographic Indication, in other words a wine that typifies its specific location. This classification was created in 1992 to provide a level of wine above table wine, and below DOC, described next. The IGT classification defines the wine's geography but not its composition or production method. Once again, don't jump to conclusions about the wine's quality. I clearly remember drinking an exceptional IGT served at a public Italian wine dinner. It was a Rosso di Toscana IGT Croce di Bibbiano "Santo Chiodo" Super Tuscan that unfortunately is unavailable in my area. It costs more than most DOC and DOCG wines (see below) and in my opinion, this wine is worth it.

DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin. Each and every region has at least one DOC wine, for example, the Apulia region has 25 DOCs while its neighbor Bascilicata has only one. A given DOC defines the permissible grape or grape varieties as well as numerous details about the grape growing and wine making process. The first DOC wine dates back to 1966. About one fifth of Italian wine is classified DOC or better. Perhaps you can guess from this statistic that a DOC on the label is no guarantee of quality.

DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Guarantita, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin. Please realize that this letter G on the label is no guarantee of quality. For example, the first red wine to achieve DOCG status (in 1980), the Tuscan Brunello di Montalcino is quite highly regarded. In contrast, the first white wine to achieve DOCG status (in 1987 after considerable debate) the Albana di Romagna from the neighboring region of Emilia-Romagna is not highly regarded at all. I have never tasted this particular wine, but the best comment I have ever read it is that this wine is pleasantly fruity. In my opinion, such weak praise hardly justifies its top-of-the-line official status. Perhaps what is required is a DOCGG classification (I'll let you do the translation.)





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Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine website is www.theworldwidewine.com . You can reach him at ital@mail.theworldwidewine.com.


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